Radiographs and charts of 114 consecutive patients who underwent 140 lower-extremity bone-segment lengthening procedures using the Ilizarov external fixator were reviewed. Patient age, bone segment (femur, tibia), corticotomy level (metaphyseal, diaphyseal, double level), and distraction gap (DG) were recorded. Distraction-consolidation time (DCT) was defined as the interval in months from the date of the corticotomy until the DG was healed according to radiographic and manual testing criteria… CONTINUE READING